Bladder prolaspe???

[rhoneyes]

Hi Im not sure where I was supposed to post this...so I hope its ok here.

I am 7 wks post pardom. At my 6 wk f/u i was told that my anterior vaginal wall was protruding into the vaginal opening. I myself have seen and felt this so I wasnt very surprised. Its not painful its just different. The midwife beleives that i have bladder prolapse. Where my ligiments that hold my bladder and urethra in place have become weak from childbirth. This causing them to fall forward. Thank God that my uterus hasnt fallen down. She was able to put my copper IUD in without any problems.

before baby I went to a specialist due to my bladder problems. I was diagnosed with a weak valve and my bladder doesnt contract all the way. I was going to begin treatment for this but I became pregnant and couldnt continue. so im thinking maybe this was inevitable?? and that childbirth just increased my problems??? what do you all think?

I go in to see another specialist next wednesday and I would really like to learn as much as I can before then. I dont always trust physicians especially OB/GYns. So I really want to know what my options are. From what it sounds like surgery may be the anwer. I have been doing kegals everyday and it hasnt gotten any better. I can bring my muscles up but they have not been able to stay up on their own.

this makes me so sad and so full of fear. What if I need surgery? Is that the best thing for me? Is there anything i can do naturally? what about sex? What if I cant have any more babies. This is just too much. I dread having to go to surgery and having to leave my baby. I will have to pump my milk but I hope my baby does ok without me.

that is my worst fear is that birth will damage me even more.....
and birth will be a problem

[kltroy]

Hi and (unfortunately) welcome to the prolapse club. It sounds like this is, indeed what you have. I found the information on the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support Thread (look a bit lower on the Birth Trauma section and you'll find it) very helpful. It's worth weeding through from the beginning because lots of people have lots of good things to say. I have been dealing with the same thing since the VBAC birth of my daughter 4 months ago. I'm happy to say, you have LOTS LOTS LOTS of healing left to do. I suggest checking out www.wholewoman.com and consider getting the Whole Woman book. It's really informative and I found it very helpful for dealing with mine. I would also suggest getting a referral to work with a Physical Therapist who specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction. I am about to be "discharged" by my PT and MOST days I do not notice my cycstocele at all.

Also, kegel kegel kegel. Seriously. And make sure you do it right. My PT had my start on my back with my knees bent. Put your hand on your belly and make sure you keep ALL muscles relaxed except for your pelvic floor. She had me start with about 5 sets of 10 quick ones with a 20 second rest between each set, and about 5-10 5-second holds. Seriously, not very much at all. And only lying down.

The prolapse is a problem that is agrivated by gravity, so any activities that increase intra-abdominial pressure (like heavy lifting, pilates, straining to go to the bathroom, etc) will push things out. Also things like running will not be too good. For me, the one thing I wish I could do that seems to aggrivate my prolapse is wearing my baby

You definitely should NOT consider surgery until you're at least 18 months to 2 years postpartum. Your body still has many changes to go through. Be good to it now. Very very good. Do your exercises, keep track of what makes it better or worse and check your posture. Look at the posture tips in the Whole Woman site - they work. Good luck to you.

Oh - and sex is probably going to be just fine. Chances are that everything slides back into place when you're horizontal